Fletcher could be out for season in blow to struggling Sunderland's survival hopes

Sunderland fear top scorer Steven Fletcher is out for the rest of the season.

The Scotland international has had an initial scan on his ankle after he was stretchered off in Friday's defeat to Wales at Hampden Park after he fell awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Ben Davies.

That has revealed ligament damage but Fletcher needs an additional scan to ascertain the full lay-off time.

Agony: Fletcher was injured 90 seconds into Scotland's clash with Wales on Friday

Lay-off: Sunderland now fear their top scorer could miss the rest of the season after an initial scan

The best Sunderland can hope for is that Fletcher is out for a month rather than all their remaining eight games including the derby at Newcastle United.

Fletcher was forced off inside 90 seconds of the World Cup qualifier tie on Friday, and it got worse for Scotland.

They were leading Wales 1-0 through Grant Hanley's header until Robert Snodgrass' challenge on Chris Gunter led to a penalty for the visitors, which Aaron Ramsey converted.

Big loss: Fletcher (right, playing against Norwich last weekend) leaves Sunderland four points off the drop

Just a minute later, Hal Robson-Kanu headed home to wrap up a 2-1 victory for Wales in a group which sees Scotland languishing at the bottom having won just two points.

Fletcher's club side are in similar dire straits. Martin O'Neill's men sit just four points above the relegation zone, and have played a game more than 18th-placed Wigan.

They are sure to miss the services of their top goalscorer, as Fletcher has netted 11 times this season, and January signing Danny Graham has yet to get off the mark for the club.